1000 Words: Happy birthday Chris Bosio
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio is celebrating his 50th birthday today. We’re sure he’ll enjoy the present the Cubs organization got him—new starter Edwin Jackson, who will take the mound Wednesday versus the Pirates at 6 p.m. CST. Like this post to wish Bosio a happy golden birthday.
1000 Words: Rizzo plates three but Italy falls
(Photo by Tom DiPace/Getty Images)
In a heartbreaking come-from-behind affair, Puerto Rico knocked out Team Italy 4-3 in an elimination game Wednesday night in the World Baseball Classic at Marlins Park in Miami. Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo did everything he could to keep his adopted country’s Cinderella run alive, plating all three of the Italian squad’s runs with a fifth-inning double. Rizzo was 1-for-3 with two walks on the day.
1000 Words: He’s Back!
(Photo by Stephen Green)
In his first game back since Feb. 27, when he injured his hamstring, shortstop Starlin Castro was 1-for-1 with a single and a walk. He’s now batting .500 in four Spring Training games.
1000 Words: The Cubs undisputed bunt king
(Photo by Stephen Green)
This weekend, Cubs outfielder David DeJesus successfully defended his Spring Training bunt tournament title, beating video staffer Nate Halm of the front office in the final. Halm played baseball at Miami of Ohio and semi-pro ball in Germany before joining the Cubs staff.
1000 Words: Let the countdown begin
(Photo by Stephen Green)
We are officially one month away from Cubs baseball at Wrigley Field. The Cubs home opener is slated for April 8 against the division rival Brewers. What’s your favorite memory from Opening Day at the Friendly Confines?
1000 Words: Cubs catchers meeting
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Staff assistant Mike Borzello (center, crouched) leads a catchers meeting in Mesa, Ariz. Welington Castillo is projected to be the Opening Day starter, with new signee Dioner Navarro acting as his backup. Steve Clevenger, who broke camp with the team in 2012, is also in the hunt for an Opening Day spot.
1000 Words: The more things change…
The more things change in Chicago, the more they stay the same. This is Wrigley Field after a snowstorm hit the area in 1938. As hard as it is to believe, Opening Day is just 26 days away.
1000 Words: Barney takes the field
(Photo by Stephen Green)
In just two short years, Cubs second baseman and converted shortstop Darwin Barney has established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the game. This season, the Gold Glover is expected to anchor what should be a strong—and much improved—defensive infield.
“We feel like we’re much deeper in a lot of aspects of the game that we need to be, and hopefully that pays dividends in the long run,” said Barney in the early days of spring camp in Mesa, Ariz.
1000 Words: For starters …
(Photo by Stephen Green)
On Sunday, the Cubs announced that right-hander Jeff Samardzija will get the Opening Day start on April 1 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, as Matt Garza is still sidelined with a lat issue. Samardzija, 28, was a full-time starter for the first time in 2012 and finished the season with a compete-game victory over the Pirates in his last outing on Sept. 8. Overall, he went 9-13 with a 3.81 ERA in 28 starts before being shut down to limit his innings.
“From jump street, [Samardzija] had that look in his eye, that determination,” said pitching coach Chris Bosio of the Shark’s transition to the starting rotation. “There was no indication for me that he couldn’t handle it. Conditioning, the way he was talking, video breakdown, things to try, different pitches, being able to adjust into what he wanted to be and what we were looking for—a lot of credit goes to him for working his tail off.”
1000 Words: Baez joins the coaching staff
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Top prospect Javier Baez gets a little extra coaching in Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers in Mesa, Ariz. In four spring games, the exciting, young shortstop is hitting .400 with one stolen base in 10 at-bats.
